When the Virginia Tech men's basketball team decided to end their season in March following an overtime loss to Wake Forest in the first round of the ACC Tournament, you knew change was coming. After having their bubble burst in Charlotte, the team decided to turn down an NIT bid and prepare for next season, also known as the Transfer Portal.
For the second time in three years, there was an exodus out of Blacksburg through the portal, with some key players leaving, including freshman Neoklis Avdalas. One painful takeaway from the 2025-26 season was that the fit for him at Virginia Tech was not a good one. Or was he misused?
Anyway, also leaving were Jaden Schutt, Antonio Dorn, and Izaiah Pasha, just to name a few. Young has had some players coming from the portal with Oklahoma's Kuol Atak, San Diego State's Miles Heide, Floirda Atlantic's Isaiah Elohim, and Elon's Ned Hull coming in. The good news? Amani Hansberry, Tyler Johnson, and Ben Hammond are coming back.
Chester Frazier returning to Mike Young's staff
Maybe as big as the retention of Hansberry, Johnson and Hammond was the news that assistant coach Chester Frazier is returning. That is huge for a number of reasons. He has been vital in recruiting, including bringing Hansberry and Avdalas on board, as well as a key member of the staff in terms of game planning.
This also raises the question, "Is Chester Frazier the coach in waiting for when Mike Young retires?'' May would love for that to happen.
More Virginia Tech Men's Basketball News
- Are we heading toward a 76-team NCAA Tournament? Many hope not, but former Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg was catching strays from Jeff Goodman for his take earlier this week. Again, Goodman, who has curious takes on social media about coaches and programs, isn't entirely wrong about Greenberg's time in Blacksburg.
- Speaking of Avdalas, he committed to North Carolina and new coach Michael Malone. The Tar Heels are coming to Blacksburg next season, and who doesn't envision Avdalas dropping a double-double on the Hokies?
- There needs to be a few more additions to the roster over the next couple of months for Young for next season, likely with some late portal additions or an incoming freshman.
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